Three Villans to watch out for in FPL
Men
3 hours ago
Aston Villa have teamed up with Fantasy Football Scout to bring you hints, tips and advice during the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season.
Scout will be using their expertise to provide advice and Gameweek tips that could help you stay on top of your mini-leagues.
For many FPL managers, the difference between winning your mini-leagues and finishing second often comes down to investing in the right differentials. Differentials are players who are owned by under 10% of FPL managers.
These players are important as they can make the biggest difference to your rank, enabling you to differentiate your squad from the teams around you.
Here are three top differentials from Aston Villa to buy after the international break...
Johan Manzambi (£5.9m)
Johan Manzambi’s impact against Tottenham Hotspur prior to the international break will have many FPL managers excited.
On his full Aston Villa debut, the Switzerland international scored and provided an assist, earning 13 points, the third-most of any FPL midfielder in Gameweek 5.
Furthermore, no Villa midfielder had more touches in the opposition box than his five in that match, while only Nicolas Jackson recorded more than Manzambi’s four shots.
When the Premier League resumes after the international break, Unai Emery’s men have three home matches in four Gameweeks, facing Brentford, Manchester City and Fulham at Villa Park, as well as a trip to Newcastle United.
Playing as a No.10 and with an ownership of just 0.4%, Manzambi is a player to consider for this spell.
Nicolas Jackson (£6.5m)
Nicolas Jackson is another differential option to consider for Villa.
Like Manzambi, the Senegal international notched his first Premier League goal in claret and blue at Tottenham prior to the international break.
In a superb all-round display, he racked up six shots in North London, with three from inside the box. He also attempted 12 take-ons, with six successful, the joint-most of any FPL player in Gameweek 5.
Jackson also scored in the 3-2 away victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League, so he’s clearly hit the ground running following his summer move from Chelsea. He could be a very good option as he looks to form a fearsome partnership with Manzambi.
Matteo Ruggeri (£4.5m)
Matteo Ruggeri is growing into the Villa shirt.
The Italian international started Villa’s recent EFL Cup victory over Coventry City, before completing 90 minutes in the 3-2 win over Tottenham in Gameweek 5. In that match, he banked defensive contribution (DefCon) points, thanks to eight clearances and five interceptions.
At the other end of the pitch, Ruggeri supplied seven assists across all competitions for Atletico Madrid last season, so there is also potential to deliver attacking returns.
With a low ownership, Ruggeri could be a solid differential option to lock in.
